The UK is home to the largest online retail market in Europe, according to figures released by price comparison website Kelkoo.

According to research carried out for the site by the Centre for Retail Research, the amount spent by Brits online across 2009 was £38 billion, with a further £42.7 billion predicted to be spent in 2010.

Rising consumer confidence helped UK shoppers spend more online than any other country in Europe, with the proportion of consumers spending more than £1,000 online last year, also growing.

The internet is now an important part of the UK's economy, with 9.5 per cent of all retail sales in 2009 taking place online.

Of the £153 billion expected to be spent across Europe in 2010, almost one third is expected to come from the UK alone.